In Defense of Target ...

Target Stores • Returns • Pricing disputes • Customer service • Target Online • Security measures • Portrait studio • Target defenders --- • Target Misses Price Target, Backs Out of Sale • Ruling Against Target May Open Other Web Sites to the Blind • Target Bans the Salvation Army • Customers React to Salvation Army Ban

Jennifer of Target Guest Service, Phoenix (9/23/05): Daily we have people complain about Target's return policy, saying how unfair it is. They always bring up WalMart and how their return policy is so much better. WalMart returns things that they have never even carried in their store. People do not realize that we do our best to try and get your items returned. If you do not have a receipt you can return the item, for an exchange in the same department one item that price or more. We are also able to look things up on credit cards, debit cards, checks, gift cards as well as using serial numbers.

And as for gift registries, those can be used to return items! However, you have a limit of 3 returns like the drivers license. And if you can't return something don't take it out on the cashier. It's not their fault and they do all that they can to help you.

"Bob" responds to Target's critics:
I'm responding as a consumer, not as a Target rep since I don't work for Target but have a family member that used to work there. Target's return policy is reasonable. They will even look up the purchase for you if you can supply the credit card, debit card, or checking account number used to buy the item. This worked for me when I brought the wrong receipt once, saving me a trip back home to fetch it.

Gift receipts automatically print with each purchase.

These complaints are mainly unreasonable. Target's 90-day return period should give you long enough to see if you want it.

If you come in w/o a receipt or info to look it up, Target will many times offer an exchange for another item in the same department at the lowest price the returned item has sold for. This is above and beyond the stated policy, and the customer shouldn't "look a gift horse in the mouth" since Target really need do nothing for them if they don't follow policy.

Shoplifters many times steal what's easy and try to get refunds or store credit that can be used to buy more readily resold items. It's a shame that thieves and abusers have caused Target to clamp down, but other stores are much worse.

To customers, please keep your receipts in a folder and return/exchange within 90 days.

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